Clinic Policies

Our clinic policies are designed to protect the interests of our patients as well as our staff and students. Please ensure you have a look at all of our policies prior to your first visit. All naturopathic doctors are licensed and governed by the CNPBC.

The patient has a right to know what clinic rules and regulation apply to their conduct as a patient.

The patient has the right to complete, current information concerning their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms they can reasonably be expected to understand. When the patient’s physician considers that it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information will be given to an appropriate person on the patient’s behalf.

The patient has the right to know the name of the physician delivering their care.

The patient has the right to receive the information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment. Except in emergencies such information should include but is not limited to:

The specific procedure and/or treatment.

Those risks considered medically significant by the patient’s physician.

The probable duration of incapacitation.

Where medical alternatives for care or treatment exist, which are considered significant by the patient’s physician, or when the patient request information concerning medical alternatives, the patient has a right to such information.

The patient has the right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedure and/or treatment.

The patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by the law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of their actions.

The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy concerning their medical care. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and will be conducted discreetly.

The patient has a right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to their care will be treated as confidential.

The patient has a right to receive treatment without discrimination as to race, colour, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation or sexual orientation.

Patient Responsibilities

Just as the Boucher Naturopathic Medical Clinic has a responsibility to its staff and patients, so too does the patient have responsibilities when under the care of the Clinic. The patient responsibilities include:

The patient is responsible for providing accurate and complete health information concerning their past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, allergies and other pertinent items. The patient should bring any information relating to their health to the clinic at the time of visit.

The patient is responsible for participating in the development of their care plan, adhering to the developed plan and complying with clinic policies and procedures governing their care.

The patient is responsible for voicing concerns or problems to their physician and/or clinic staff and for requesting further information concerning anything they do not understand.

The patient is responsible for being respectful of other people and clinic property. This implies that no patients will be seen under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The patient is responsible for their actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow medical instructions.

The patient is responsible for maintaining the treatment recommended by the physician(s) and for remaining under medical supervision.

The patient is not allowed to contact student clinicians outside of the clinic; any communication must go through the clinic front desk. The only exception to this is if the physician has asked to be contacted in special circumstances.

The patient is responsible for abiding by clinic rules and regulations and for seeing that those who accompany them do likewise.

The patient is responsible for providing truthful information about income, notifying the clinic of changes and providing written income verification which is a prerequisite for receiving reduced fees.

The patient is responsible for being considerate and cooperative with clinic staff and for avoiding discrimination against health care providers because of race, colour, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation or sexual orientation.

Intoxication Policy

The Boucher Naturopathic Medical Clinic will not provide care to any clients under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol if their intoxication is disruptive or could impede patient’s care.

The clinic supervisors will use their discretion in enforcing the above policy, keeping in mind the following principles:

The potential behaviour problem posed by an intoxicated patient should be used to assess whether they can be seen , as we are concerned with safety rather than moral judgement.

Our goal is to offer patients health, not deny them.

An intoxicated patient may be difficult to evaluate accurately.

Intoxication may interfere with the energetic principles of treatments such as Traditional Asian Medicine, homeopathy etc…

Intoxication may increase risk of liability to Boucher.

We should maintain a consistent protocol with all patients. This may conflict with the first and second principles and the clinic supervisors must use discretion in balancing these goals.

Any patient who appears to the clinic supervisor to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and who is seen at the clinic must be:

Informed of our stated policy against seeing patients under the influence.

Warned that their condition may interfere with assessment.

Told that an exception is being made for them.

Prohibited from acupuncture treatments, blood draws, injections, physical manipulations and any other treatments that the clinic supervisor believes could be compromised by the patient’s intoxication.

The clinic supervisor must complete a case form for each patient turned away under the Intoxication Protocol including a description of the patient’s reaction to the denial of services. This form will be included in the patient’s record and the incident should be reported at debriefing and the next Planning Committee meeting.

The clinic does not discriminate against clients based on lifestyle, addiction etc…Drugs used outside of the clinic is not grounds for denying services to individuals. All social information is confidential. Any patient seen by a student clinician who discusses recreational use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs must be advised that these substances are harmful to their health. The patient must also be asked if they would like any information on health effects of quitting, unless the student clinician feels that this discussion would jeopardize their relationship with the patient. This discussion should take place in a non judgmental, serious manner as part of the patient’s interview.